The time has come to face reality.
“There really isn’t much left now…”
Sena muttered while wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth with trembling hands. There was no more time or luxury to hesitate.
‘I need to extend my lifespan.’
The task at hand was clear. Even if he traveled home as quickly as possible, ten days would not be enough.
Especially since he had to hide the secret of his lifespan from Astria. If she found out, she would return to the imperial palace immediately.
Just like what happened yesterday. Any objections or opinions would be ignored.
‘I need to catch the devil worshippers. That’s my only choice.’
Sena barely stood up by holding onto the railing. Just then, Lucia, who had been following him, supported him.
“Sena!”
Seeing the bloodstains covering Sena’s white clothes, Lucia’s eyes quivered.
“Ahaha, Sister Lucia worrying about me feels strange.”
Lucia’s pupils shook at Sena’s words. She immediately reached into her pocket.
“I… I’ll commit seppuku.”
“No, no. Don’t say such scary things.”
‘I can’t even joke.’
The moment Lucia mentioned seppuku, her number briefly changed to 0.
She was genuinely considering killing herself.
“S-Sena, huff, you shouldn’t move.”
Ellie, who had followed late, was panting. Sena squinted as he looked at the room Ellie had come out of. It was right in front.
‘Isn’t she more out of shape than I am?’
“It’s not just that you fainted, but Sena’s body is already collapsing. It’s not the time to be moving around.”
“W-was I that weak?”
“…Pardon my boldness, but I’m already amazed that you’re still alive. It feels like Justitia is standing with open arms, ready to embrace you at any moment.”
“Th-that’s… I haven’t even been forgiven for my past sins yet. It would be troublesome to return to Justitia’s embrace already.”
Tears were streaming down Lucia’s face.
Sena awkwardly smiled.
“I still vividly remember the scene of you bringing the head of a dead person in front of me.”
“I-I’ll commit seppuku after all.”
“…No, don’t.”
The number briefly changed to zero again.
Sena let out a small sigh and straightened up.
His vision wavered. His body was still in bad shape. His head felt dizzy.
The red bloodstains on his white clothes felt torturous to Sena, who had a compulsion for cleanliness. He also felt something like residue in his throat, which was extremely uncomfortable.
‘What is the best course of action? The best I can do in this situation?’
Under no circumstances should Astria find out about his poor health.
He didn’t want Sylvia to find out either, but now wasn’t the time to be talking about such luxurious concerns.
He would have to tell Sylvia.
He needed to rely on her.
But first…
“…I need to change my clothes.”
**
“This is the shortest route to the Birkender territory. It’s better to take the well-maintained road than to cross the mountains.”
At the round table, Astria spread out the map and drew a line with her hand.
Sylvia gulped.
“But taking that route…”
There were no other issues, but there was one major problem.
“…The Marquisate of Rockefeller.”
Rockefeller.
A family of great merit to the empire and the most loyal to the previous Emperor.
When Astria rebelled, killed the emperor, and took the throne, the Rockefeller family disappeared, stating, “We will withdraw from all affairs of the empire.”
Naturally enraged, Astria not only downgraded their original status from dukes to marquises but also stripped them of all military authority and imposed various disadvantages.
As one of the emperor’s closest aides and a prestigious family, the Rockefeller family, with its accumulated wealth, was able to endure the severe blow.
In short, it was the family that had suffered the most from Astria’s tyranny.
“Will it be alright?”
Sylvia couldn’t bring herself to mention the incident and gave an awkward smile.
Entering the territory of a family she half-destroyed after killing their liege?
If they knew their arch-enemy was brazenly walking around, they wouldn’t stand still.
While the emperor’s absolute power was unchallenged in the capital, it was different in the empire, where some autonomy was allowed for the sake of war.
“Hah, weren’t you so confident yesterday? Now you lack confidence?”
“I-I don’t lack confidence! I will protect you, Your Majesty!”
Sylvia stammered for a reason.
The Rockefeller duchy, as a prestigious family, had two Masters in their service.
Though Astria had imposed many disadvantages on the family, she couldn’t strip away the master’s authority to choose whom to protect.
No matter how angry she was, Astria had a basic respect for talent.
“…Protect Sena instead of me. It’s impossible for your dull blade to protect me anyway.”
Sylvia’s lips quivered for a moment. But there was nothing she could do. Her body slumped.
“…Yes.”
“And even if they find out I’m in the territory, nothing will happen.”
Astria propped her chin on her hand, looking bored.
“Whether they respond or not, I tormented them out of curiosity for two years, and they didn’t budge. Out of loyalty to the previous emperor, they refuse to follow my rule, but they maintain basic decorum towards the Empire’s Empress. Pathetic.”
“I-I see.”
Sylvia was now even more reluctant to step foot in Rockefeller territory.
“Stop worrying about that and think about who killed the baron last night. If they’re related to us, kill them; if not, move on… Who is it?”
Astria turned her head sharply, her eyes fierce.
Sena, who had been peeking through the door, hesitantly stepped in.
“Senior.”
Sylvia’s face brightened.
Astria flinched and looked away.
“…May I come in, Your Majesty?”
“…Yes.”
Sena blinked at Astria’s evasive gaze.
Usually, she would say, ‘You’re too late,’ or ‘Bow immediately,’ but why this reaction?
As if… she felt guilty?
‘Does she feel guilty for making me faint yesterday?’
Considering the possibility, Sena’s eyes widened.
If that were true, it would be a significant development.
Clearing his throat a few times, he approached Astria and leaned in.
“Your Majesty?”
“…”
“Your Majesty???”
But Astria kept turning her head whenever she saw the white-haired Sena in her view.
Sena smirked slyly.
“Are you feeling guilty towards me?”
“…”
“If you want to apologize, now is the time. I’ll forgive you. Your Majesty??”
“S-Silence!”
Astria snapped, her face turning red.
“I’m thirsty. Brew some tea.”
‘So she still can’t apologize first?’
Sena squinted his eyes and stepped back. He was slightly disappointed, hoping she’d apologize first this time.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“…About yesterday…”
As he turned to brew the tea, Astria spoke in a tiny voice.
“I-I’m sorry.”
A brief silence followed.
Sena beamed and hugged Astria from behind.
“I already forgave you.”
Sylvia watched them, feeling slightly downcast.
**
Oh my, oh my, oh my.
With only ten days left to live, Sena poured the tea with a genuinely happy smile.
‘The shortest route? You definitely said the shortest route.’
This was indeed good news.
Yesterday had been a close call.
Astria had planned to return to the palace and had even made Sena faint when he tried to stop her.
Really, he thought it was the end.
He thought he’d never return home.
But now, there was hope!
He didn’t know how Sylvia managed to change Astria’s mind, but it was a great relief.
All that remained was the short time needed to take that shortest route.
He just needed to buy that time. It wasn’t impossible. There had to be a way.
‘If all else fails, I’ll beg.’
If he went to the cathedral and prayed with tears, wouldn’t they give him a week?
After all, it’s the Goddess; she would have that much mercy.
“Sena, let me do it.”
“Ellie, please sit down. And Lucia, stop being so anxious. This is my job.”
Holding the warm teacup, Sena wore a sad expression.
“This is the least I can do.”
“Sena…”
Ellie’s eyes began to well up.
Lucia spoke in a stern and serious tone.
“That can’t be true. Someone with the power to annihilate demons in an instant, only able to brew tea?”
Sena blinked.
“In moments like this, you’re supposed to join in the sentiment… Sister Lucia, you really lack tact.”
Lucia bowed her head at his words.
“…I’ll commit seppuku.”
“Don’t.”
Sena spoke firmly and tried to lift the tray with teacups.
But—.
Tremble, tremble.
“…”
The tray didn’t budge.
No matter how much effort he put in, the tea in the cups only trembled slightly.
‘Is this real? I can’t even lift a tray with five teacups?’
Unable to believe it, Sena focused his strength on lifting it.
Just as he strained to lift the tray, Ellie, watching from the side, gently held his trembling hand.
“Justitia once said: Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill my law. If this is your task, it is also ours. So please, don’t feel burdened.”
Ellie smiled warmly and took hold of the tray for him.
But even as she applied force, the tray didn’t lift.
Ellie, still with a graceful smile, said,
“The tea tray is a bit heavy.”
‘…Isn’t this a serious lack of exercise?’
Sena genuinely worried about Ellie’s health.
This was a level of muscular weakness bordering on non-existent.
“…Both of you, please sit down quietly.”
At that moment, Lucia lifted the tray with one hand.
Sena and Ellie replied timidly.
“Yes…”
